Coupling and servicing assembly



Aug. 8, 1950 D. T. FERNANDEZ COUPLING AND SERVICING ASSEMBLY 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 16, 1945 Aug. 8, 1950 D. T. FERNANDEZ COUPLING AND SERVICING ASSEMBLY 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 16, 1945 [Ill/Ill K 3 INIV)ENTOR flair/f ZWWWZ Maw/4% a s ysjaem which cannotfbe -r Patented Aug. 8, 1950 FFICE I E V SfiEMBILY 1. ifcrnamdez, Villa hark, hpnli ationrlme 5, eni l N a- 95 ,192

My inven ion relates to a refrige at g s tem, and mo e .parti ll to a s m provid dwi mve couplin s 91L .7 t nd the no el up and servi in m an themselves.

ref ig rat ng sy t ms o th compression an expansi n time, he s stem ,e e iy mpris s two essen al r rts,:n e1;x, t e igh p ssure side and the Low pressure side. The high pr ssure s d compri s ie omp es o dzh i denser, and usually a receiver, The low pressure side i c d a pre wn ru ng wa nd a r rii ati n coil. he o rols :tor the system a a d to th high p e s r eisie e it is side which requires ervice. iiHore o-iorere'frigehst n svst m have b en rm il d w t -vs m s and othe s -1y ansl exn mive ar ngeen s m s ng the syst m of :r iacing st rig t, testing the .oompressor, ch k me t e head rea u e, am eh ki t pressu e n the o ;r es ure id tor edits e he rransionvalve,

Th e p n e stem of a i im nt ant 5 (crises-1 alves us a ly pr fited is selfl m 11 2 when servicing the system. Furthermore, presence enables persons not skilled in the art to tamper with the system, resulting in th 10. he a e of refrigerant, improre ope ation 01 the s s m, or amage t the i -n ref-riserating systems, especially those cm iiloyeq in 110W- cmpe atu e ref i eration, losse a e freque t y us it ma uf urer, on to he loss QI man ti of q en ea pay ents for fiemas d iQQfl, nt ee ost of t'n crre rr g-erantflu d.

fine object of ngy invention "to proving a re: ris s'ev m inwh oh the ig pre u esid of the sys m -.ma;y "b disc nn t d i m th low pressure side a sh n ple and ecnvenient manner without undue -loss of refirigerant while maintainjing'bpth-sides-under pressure Another object of my "invention is to provide a sys m where y t e high r e ure s e y b ed fr m the s m and .shir ed a su unit fo s vi ing and on return re nne ted in a ul y h m tom.i tion t o t t e .use of I SQrviceva-lves.

Another object of m invention i to roviiie ,v tampe d w byiunauthorized persons. w I

Another object of my invention is to provide a system which can be serviced from the field in a simple and expeditious ;man-ner.

Gtl er and furither objects of my invention will be apparent from the followin qescrintion:

fIn general, my inventiqli contemplates a re- :frigerating system provided with unions enabling the high pressure side to be uncoupled from the low pressure side, which unions are formed with integral check valves. The arrangement is such that when coupled the check Valves automatiwhi h fli'k eie nc numerals re u ed to gflicaite like-parts in the various views: 7

Fig. l "isa diagrammatic view of a refrigerating system showing one embodiment of myiinvention. fig. 2 is ;a "sectional view of a union used in my invention talgen along the line -2--2 of Fig. *1, but

shown on enlargedscale, with the check'valves in open position.

3 is a sectional view ,of "the union shown Eigfi2, showing the them; valves in seated position.

Fig. '4 is a sectional view taken on the line 4-4 i"Fig.

:Fi. '55 is a sectional view showing my servicing connection assembled in the union.

. .F,i 6 is a view similar to Big. -'2 showing a modified construction.

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 2, showing still another construction pa pable of carrying out my invention.

is a sectional view of a simplified. type of service connection.

More particularly referring now to the drawings:

A compressor l driven by any suitable means :is adapted to compressrefrigerant fluid for discharge through pipe 2, through the condenser '3 *heat is removed from the hot compressed refrigerant fluid. The compressed cold refrigerant-fluid is dischar ged toa receiver 4 rom which i flows h u h p pe v5 ro g a specia union shown generally by the reference numeral 8:, hro gh rice 1, t roug expansion valve :8, through the refrigerant coil '9, thence through pipe ill, through a second union shown generally :by the reference numeral I 1|, through pipe I? to the suction side of the compressor 1. When a rejrigerant unit is at rest there is a tendency for thepressure in the system to equalize due to the tact. that compressor valves sometimes leak slightly i0 that with the passage of time the pressure in the system becomes equalized. When the system is running, the region between the discharge valves of the compressor and the expansion valve 8 is under the same high pressure, while the region between the expansion valve 8 and the intake valves to the compressor is under the same low pressure.

Let us assume for purposes of illustration that it is desired to service the high pressure side for major repairs. The unions 6 and II are broken, and the high pressure assembly comprising the compressor I, the condenser 3, the receiver 4, and the pipe are disconnected and shipped to the factory or servicing point for repairs.

Referring now to Fig. 2, it will be seen that the pipe H] is secured in any suitable manner to a body member I3. Similarly, the pipe I2 is secured to a body member E4, in a gas-tight and permanent manner by any means known to the art. A member I5 is secured to the body member |3 in any suitable manner to form a substantially permanent gas-proof joint. Similarly, a housing 6 is secured to the body member Hi. The member |5 is formed with a valve portion i7, while the housing I6 is formed with a valve seat I 8 against which the valve I1 is adapted to seal. An annular valve seat I9 is formed on the housing l5, while a similar annular valve seat 25 is formed on the body member l6. Housed within the space formed by member i3 and housing I5 is a valve 2| normally urged to seating position on valve seat H! by spring 22. Housed in the space between housing l5 and body member i5 is a valve 23 normally urged to seating position on valve seat 20 by spring 24. The valve 2| is formed with an extension 25, while valve 23 is formed with an extension 26. A coupling nut 21 is adapted to seat valve IT on valve seat l8 as can readily be seen by reference to Fig. 2. In this position, check valve extensions 25 and 25 are in abutting position and the extension lengths are such that valves 2| and 23 are held in unseated position. It will be obvious of course that only one of the valves 2| and 23 need be provided with an extension if desired, so long as the unseating function is performed. However, for ease of manufacture and interchangeability of parts, I prefer to make valves 2| and 23 of identical construction.

The sealing of the refrigerant fluid conduit without relying on the coupling nut 21 by means of the valve I1 and the valve seat l8 may be performed in any other suitable manner such as by gaskets or other sealing means. This is shown in Figs. 6 and '7, in which the body member i5 and the body mem er l6 are adapted to clamp a sealing ring 28 between them when the coupling nut 21 is tightened.

It will be seen that by means of the construction described, the high pressure side of the refrigerating system may be readily disconnected from the low pressure side of the system without the danger of loss of the refrigerant fluid or the admission of air into the system.

With the special unions of my invention in disconnected position, I may assemble a special test fitting shown in assembled position in Fig. 5 between the separated ports of the union. The test connection comprises a body member 29 having an upper portion provided with threads 30 adapted to receive the threaded portion of the coupling nut 21. A second coupling nut 3| is provided for coupling the test fitting to the body member IS. with a central partition 32 dividing it into two The test fitting is provided general portions which I will designate for purposes of convenience an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion terminates in a valve seat 32' similar to the valve seat |8 on which the valve I! of the housing I5 is adapted to seat. Housed within the upper portion is a check valve 33 adapted to seat on valve seat 34 under the influence of spring 35. Similarly, the lower portion of the body member'29 is provided with a valve 36 similar to the valve I1 adapted to seat on valve seat |8 of the body member l6 under the influence of the coupling nut 3|. Housed within the lower portion of the body member 29 is a check valve 31 adapted to seat on valve seat 38 under the influence of spring 39. The valve 33 is provided with a valve extension 40, while the 'valve 31 is provided with a valve extension. In assembled position as shown in Fig. 5, valve extension 40 is adapted to abut valve extension 25 to hold check valves 2| and 33 in open position. Similarly, valve extension 4| is adapted to abut valve extension 26 to hold valves 31 and 23 in open position. The body member 29 is formed with an extension 42. The extension 42 is provided with an internal manifold 43 having ports 44 communicating with the lower chamber 45 beneath partition 32 and port 46 communicating. with the upper chamber 41 formed above partition 32. A port 48 communicates with a chamber 49 similarly formed within the extension 42. A nipple 50 has a duct 68 communicating with the chamber 42. Housed within the manifold 43 is a double acting valve 5| operated through valve stem 52 through squared portion 53 by means of a wrench valve handle or in any other suitable manner. The valve 5| has a valve portion 54 adapted to seaton valve seat 55 to seal off the manifold 43 from the chamber 49. The valve 5! is provided with a valve portion 56 adapted to seal off the port 45 as shown in Fig. 5. A suitable sealing means 5! is provided for the valve stem 52. It will be seen that with the valve 5| in mid-positiom the pipe I0 is in communication with pipe |2 through the port 46, manifold 43, and port 44.. There is also a com munication with the chamber 49 and the nipple duct 58 through duct 48. When the valve 5| is moved to the right so that valve portion 54 seats on seat 55, pipes IL and !2 are in communication but the chamber 49 and its commun cating nipple are sealed off from the system. With the valve in the position shown in the drawing, the low pressure side is sealed. while the high pressure.

side is in communication with the nipple 50. The arrangement is extremely flexible and as will be hereinafter more fully pointed out, I am able to perform many servicing and testing functions in a simple, convenient, and expeditious manner.

Fig. 8 shows a sim lified connection which may be used with an auxiliary coupling nut similar to nut 27 (not shown), if it be desired to perform an individual servicing function. For example, when the high pressure side is disconnected and shipped to the factory, the'refrigerant fluid may be unloaded quite simply by means of the fitting shown in Fig. 8. Referring now to Fig. 8, I provide a fitting comprising a body member 58 provided with a chamber 59 into which a stem 6L extends. The stem is provided with threaded portion 6| and an operating extension E32 provided with a squared portion 63 through which the stem 56 may be operated. The chamber 59 is in communication with the exterior through duct 64 formed in a, nipple B5 to which various instrumentalities may be connected.

Iheenlarged ormones is presided with th eads 63 tor coaetion a not sim lar to not 2?. the auxiliary fitting is screwed onto the end of an lunedupled portion of the union, the

extension 69 may beoperatedto unseat the'oheck valre associated herewith so as to pla e the sys tern communica ion with the chamb r 59.

1 .In operation the connections are normally .in the position shown in Fig. 2 and the re ri erating system operates normally. :Let us assume. snunposes or illustration, that it is desired to service the unit in the field. The connections 6 and H are brgken and apair of fittings such a shown in Fig. .5 are as emb ed c re b in taken to have valve portion '54 seated on seat 5'5 A gauge may be screwed to the nipple 50 and the valve 51 moved to-the mi-d-position. In this mannenthe pressure in thehigh side of thesyfican be read t the point of connection 6- Wilarlyu the pressure in the dew side can be at the .-p.oi nt of connection .4 1.

Again let us assume the system has been drained of refrigerant fluid for the purpose of making aerepair, and it is now desired to dehytbe condenser coil. Valves 5! are moved to position closing ports 55, A supply of hot for dehydrating is attached to one :91: the nipples 50 and air may be forced through the high pressure side, dehydrating the condenser coil 3. If it be desired to dehydrate both sides of the ssntem, the valves 54 maybe moved to :midand the .hot .air blown to one or the other of the nipples 50. After dehydration the system is evacuated with the Valve 5!} either in mid-position or with the valve portion 56 seated. After evacuation, valve 5i may be moved to the right, seating valve portion 54 on seat 55. The evacuating connection to nipple 58 may be broken and a charging connection fitted. Valve 5| may then be moved to mid-position and the system charged with refrigerant fluid. After charging, valve portion 54 may be again seated on seat 55 and the charging connection removed and a gauge attached to the nipple 5%) so that the system pressure may be checked with the valves in mid-position. To remove the gauge, the valve 54 is seated on valve seat 55 sealing off the system. The gauge may then be removed.

If it be desired to test the compressor, valve 5| may be moved to the left so that valve portion 5 6 is seated. A gauge having been previously fitted to nipple 5%, the compressor is run and the head pressure noted. Leaks in the high pressure side may be quickly detected with valve 56 in closed position.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that all of the servicing functions can be performed in the field in a simple and expeditious manner.

It will be seen that I have accomplished the objects of my invention. I provided a simple and inexpensive means enabling the high pressure side of the refrigerating system to be disconnected from the low pressure side without undue loss of refrigerant fluid.

I provided a system which can be serviced in the field Without danger of losing the charge of refrigerant. By eliminating the valve blocks, all danger of unauthorized persons tampering with the system is eliminated, thus obviating either the loss of the charge of refrigerant fluid or damage to the unit with the ensuing loss of the The high pressure-sid of a system can be se ara ed from the l w pressure side withou loss regflrigenant, thus reducin the cost of service by nabling th hi h pressure side alone to be retiimed to the factory. This has h add tional advantage of reducing shipping costs and the c sts of labor in removin he balance of the sy tem from the c bin t- It will be obvious to those skilled in .the that I have provided a system that can be serviced in the field ,and processed in the .iflsiiQlir without the air-of permanently attached-service valves.

.Asvs em h been provided wher b a per on not skilled in the ,art may disconnect the high from the low s de. re u n the hi h side to the factory for repairs, and reconnect the two parts of the .system ready ,for normal operation.

A -,s,til l more flexible system could be presided by placing an additional union in they system shown in Fig- 1, herefore as the oi unions and their location in the system edepends on the desi n of the refrigerating system, the flexibility desired, and the method employed to control the flow .of liquid to the evaporator, I

do not desire to limit myself to number or ,loca

on of unionsit will be obviou to those skilled in the art that var, us changes may be made in the partieular embodiment of the invention shown and de, scribed without departing from the spirit of any invention. {If-his is contemplatedby theanpend, ed claims. It is therefore to be understood that changes may be made in details within the scope of the claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

l. A coupling and servicing assembly adapted to be interposed in a refrigerating system between the condensing coil and the refrigerating coil, including in combination a first body member formed with a duct, a second body member formed with a duct, an intermediate body memher having a pair of chambers, coupling means for coupling said first body member to said intermediate body member, means for sealing said first body member against the intermediate body member, means for coupling said second body member to the intermediate body member, means for sealing said second body member to said intermediate body member, means providing communication between said intermediate body member and the exterior of the coupling and servicing assembly, a valve for sealing said communication, check valves disposed respectively in said first and second body members and in the chambers of said intermediate body member, and means for holding said respective check valves in unseated position when. said assembly is in coupled position.

2. A coupling and servicing assembly as in claim 1, in which said means providing communication with the exterior of the coupling and servicing assembly is formed with two ports, one of said port communicating with one of said chambers of said intermediate body member, and the other of said ports communicating with the other of said chambers of said intermediate body member.

3. A coupling and servicing assembly a in claim 1, in which said means providing communication with the exterior of the coupling and servicing assembly is formed with two ports, one of said ports communicating with one of said chambers of said intermediate body member, and

the other of said ports communicating with the other of said chambers of said intermediate body member, said communication sealing valve being formed with two valve portions and means for seating one of said valve portions to seal one of said ports, and the other of said valve portions adapted to seal the means providing communication with the exterior of the coupling and servicing assembly from said exterior.

4. A refrigerating system including in combination, a refrigeration coil, a condensing coil, a compressor, ducts interconnecting said refrigeration coil and condensing coil, said condensing coil and said compressor, and said refrigeration coil and said compressor, and a plurality of unions inserted in said ducts, each of said unions including means tending constantly to close its respective ducts and operable when said unio is broken to seal said portions of the refrigerating system, and servicing mechanism having means interposed between and attached to the members of a union when broken for unsealing said sealing means while said mechanism is operably connected thereto.

5. A coupling and servicing assembly for a refrigerating system including in combination a first body member formed with a duct, a second body member formed with a duct, an intermediate body member having a pair of chambers formed therein, coupling means for coupling said first body member to one of said chambers, means for coupling said second body member to the 8 other of said chambers, means providing communication between the chambers in said intermediate body member and the exterior of the coupling and servicing assembly, a valve for sealing said communication, check valves disposed respectively in said first and second body members and in the chambers of said intermediate body member, and means for holding said check valves in unseated position when said assembly is in the coupled position.

DAN T. FERNANDEZ.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 130,095 Wightman July 30, 1872 348,664 Drodzewoki Sept. 7, 1886 430,721 Winkler June 24, 1890 939,211 Brown Nov. 9, 1909 955,045 Blair Apr, 12, 1910 1,086,637 Beach Feb. 10, 1914 1,436,417 Trumble Nov. 21, 1922 1,703,311 Litle, Jr Feb-26, 1929 2,004,266 Beimann June 11, 1935- 2,338,953 Melke Jan. 11, 1944 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 15,994 Australia 1934 

